Former GOP Chief Greer Apologizes to Obama, Says Many in GOP Are Racist

A little more than a year ago, former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer made headlines by condemning President Barack Obama's address to the nation's schoolchildren on their first day of school as a "use of taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America's children to his socialist agenda." Greer, at the time, was under attack from right-wing factions in the GOP for being too centrist, and the statements seemed like a lame attempt to curry favor with the Tea Party. Now Greer has apologized for the remarks and says some Republican Party members are racist.

The president's words to schoolchildren were fairly innocuous, and after they were delivered, Greer even said, "It's a good speech. It encourages kids to stay in school and the importance of education," after the text of the speech was released.

"In the year since I issued a prepared statement regarding President Obama speaking to the nation's schoolchildren, I have learned a great deal about the party I so deeply loved and served. Unfortunately, I found that many within the GOP have racist views and I apologize to the President for my opposition to his speech last year and my efforts to placate the extremists who dominate our party today. My children and I look forward to the president's speech."